OPERATING SYSTEM

Introduction:

An operating system is a computer software which provides interface

for the user to interact with the various computer application
programs and the computer hardware. It is responsible for the
management of non-executable part of the program applications like
text string ,graphical images etc. It allows the user to interact with the
application by taking input from the user through input devices like
key board mouse etc which in return run the applications that can
also be used to communicate with other computers.

Based on the internet search there can be a large number of

operating system types based on how one wants to classify them. For
example there can be a free or propriety type operating system. Real-
time ,embedded ,desktop or server based etc. Below is the summary
one of the few main operating system types.

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS

MULTI USER OPERATING SYSTEM:

A multi user operating system allows multiple computer to access the

resources of one computer simultaneously without affecting the
application on the resource computer .Examples are

Time sharing operating system:

In time system the operating system allots specific time slots to each
task. And each task is performed according to its allotted time.
Main frame operating Systems:

In main frame multiple clients access a server at the same time. A

mainframe OS can allow to run multiple OS and applications to serve
the needs of an organization using remote terminals .MVS from IBM
is the example of main frame operating systems

SINGLE USER OS (MULTITASKING):

It allows the to user perform multiple tasks on a single computer. It is

also called multitasking .It saves time of the user for providing it
applications that can be run at the same time .OS like Windows and
Macintosh etc on the laptops and desktops are the examples of
single user OS.

SINGLE USER OS (SINGLE TASK):

It restricts the user to perform only one task at a time. Palm OS

operating system which was designed for mobile phones was a single
task operating system.

HAND HANDELED OPERATING SYSTEMS:

The idea behind the current hand handled operating system is to

bring the experience of the entire technology(with some restrictions)
used in a desktop to a hand handled device like a mobile phone .IOS
is the operating system used in Apple’s iPhones.

Home Appliances like TV, washing machines etc are also hand
handled devices they have a software called firmware. A firmware is
the small software stored on the RAM of the integrated circuit. The
software cannot be changed. And the only way to bring changes in
the software is to replace the circuit.

REAL TIME /EMBEDDED OS:

This type of operating system is used in machinery .It is a complex

software used to control time sensitive machinery. It has provides a
very little user interface, software cannot be changed and usually
does not allow user made changes. One of the most important tasks
of real time operating systems is to manage their resources in order
to perform tasks on their exact time. Operating system in Space
shuttle is an example of real time OS.

SMART CARDS:

A smart card is a pocket-sized plastic card with the embedded

microprocessor inside gold contact pad .It contains only non-volatile
memory components. Some provides the identity authentication for
the sign in in large security sensitive organizations. They also act as
storage devices and application processing . Functions of smart
cards depend on the OS in it. There are mainly two types of smart
cards operating systems fixed file structures and dynamic application
system.

Fixed file structures

It acts as a secure computing and storage device. It is used in the

security sensitive organizations.

Dynamic Application system:

It has Java Card and proprietary MULTOS card varieties that allows
the user to build and implement on card applications securely. SIM
card for mobile phones has Dynamic Applications. This type of card
has multiple separate applications making the updates easier. That is
why the many updates can be brought to the security and the settings
of phones.

SERVER OPERATING SYSTEM:

It is a software designed to provide platform for multi user computer

programs to access data and share data from a single or multiple
resources which act as server. the computers accessing the
information acts as clients. It is user dependant. Server-client model
is of critical importance in business computing.
Server Operating systems are robust, they serve multiple users at the
same time. Hardware like printers etc can be shared through server
OS. Examples of Server OS are Solaris, Mac OS X Server etc

NETWORK OPERATING SYSTEM:

Network operating system allows the exchange of data between two

or many computers through internet protocols TCP/IP being one of
them. Many modes of connections like Bluetooth, fiber optics, phone
cables or wireless connections can be used for internet OS

Examples are Novell NetWare, Microsoft Windows NT, Microsoft

Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP, Sun Solaris, Linux, etc...

WEB OPERATING SYSTEM:

They are the operating systems that run on web browsers and
provides user interface that allows the user to access the data on the
internet. Cloud computing which the storage of a persons information
on the internet rather than the hard disks fall under web operating
system.

REFERENCES

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/different-types-of-operating-systems.html
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_different_types_of_operating_systems
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Operating_system
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_proprietary_operating_system
http://www.geekinterview.com/question_details/30120
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_some_Examples_of_time_sharing_operating_syste
m
http://www.smartcardbasics.com/smart-card-types.html
http://www.ehow.com/about_6297094_definition-network-operating-systems.html
http://www.serverschool.com/dedicated-servers/popular-server-operating-systems/
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question332.htm
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_firmware_and_OS
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/n/nos.htm